11:20 Scholz aims to purchase additional Eurofighters - "reverse in defense industry" required
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz guarantees a reliable order for the arms industry, aiming to enhance production capacity both in Germany and Europe. Scholz emphasized the necessity of a robust aerospace sector during the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) opening in Berlin. He announced the procurement of 20 additional Eurofighters, adding to the 38 already in the pipeline. This commitment towards the industry's reinforcement is a response to what he referred to as a "defense industry transformation." The government also intends to advocate for additional Eurofighter export opportunities. Scholz expressed his dedication to maintaining and expanding manufacturing facilities within the defense industry.
Discussion Point: "Global Support Waning, Russia Succeeding"As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy advocates for participation in the Swiss peace conference, Russia is working hard to deter as many nations as possible from contributing. In the initial stages of the conflict, 141 UN member states had condemned Russia's aggression; however, the number of nations planning to attend the summit has visibly dwindled, according to NTV reporter Rainer Munz.
Question: Has the Kremlin Ramped Up Security for Putin?Rumors abound that security protocols surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin have been heightened - allegedly to a degree which is unrivaled. According to the Moscow Times, a couple of critical figures who have regularly observed Putin in various public engagements corroborated this development. The report additionally implicates a reliable source allied to the Kremlin in this information. Since 2023, Putin has reportedly started wearing bulletproof vests during public events. The growing list of concerns stems from several factors, including warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Putin's arrest, the potential for Ukrainian drone attacks, and the threat of Islamic assaults. While the Kremlin denied any increase in security measures, one of the officials in question mentioned these elements as contributing to their heightening.
09:37 Nikopol Suffers Intense Artillery BarrageThe Russian army is allegedly launching a fresh bombardment against Nikopol. Information from the Ukrainian administration suggests that the city on the Dnipro River has been targeted with heavy artillery and kamikaze drones. While no casualties have been reported, five houses and a power line were damaged. Responding to this assault, four drones were downed in the region, and the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region notes.
08:54 Observing Russian Air Defense Through the "Storks"Air defense units within the 71st Fighter Brigade are utilizing their "Storks" to monitor Russian activities. These units have noted a general decrease in hostile activity. Conversely, Ukrainian drones have been permeating deeper into Russian territory, forcing a reaction from the air defense.
08:26 Putin Addresses Questions from the Foreign Press for First Time in War's AftermathVladimir Putin, the Russian President, will face Western media representatives for the initial time since the onset of his conflict against Ukraine during the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. While this event was canceled in 2022 and 2023, the economic forum is scheduled to unfold between Wednesday and Saturday.
07:58 The Front Lines within Ukraine's East RegionsThe Ukrainian military reports a challenging environment within the eastern parts of the nation's front. Intense attacks are occurring in the northern vicinity of Donetsk. Notably, 37 assaults were reported near Pokrovsk the previous day. Russian soldiers were making substantial efforts to progress in various directions around Otscheretyne, the spot situated between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
07:32 Ukraine Reels from Drone OffensivesThe Russian military staged a coordinated drone strike on Ukraine throughout the night. Soldiers responded by shooting down 22 of the 27 drones they encountered. These downed UAVs were discovered in the south, northeast, and central Ukraine. In Poltawa's central region, a significant industrial facility was damaged, and one individual sustained injuries due to a drone attack, according to regional governor Filip Pronin.
06:55 US Embassy Quasi Embargo on US/Ukrainian CitizensInstructing male US citizens holding Ukrainian citizenship not to travel to Ukraine, the American Embassy cautions that they may be indefinitely barred from leaving. "There's a high risk your departure will be denied, even if you have a US passport," the embassy stated. Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 have been forbidden from leaving the country since Russia's invasion.
06:14 Ukraine Clamors for Drone OperatorsThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry intends to induct drone operators through a new project. The online newspaper "Ukrajinska Prawda" revealed this plan, which allows individuals aged 18 and older to apply. After successfully completing an online course, they'll learn to manage drones - a requirement that, if fulfilled, enables enlistment in the military.
NATO's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, expresses his disappointment over China's decision to boycott the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. In an interview with NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien," Stoltenberg says, "It's unfortunate that China hasn't decided to participate." This action aligns with China's previous stance of being unable to rebuke Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which clearly violates international law. Stoltenberg adds that China has not only refrained from criticizing the violation of international law but has also entered a deal with Russia, promising "unlimited partnership" before the invasion. China has then gone on to support Russia's military economy by providing them with advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and other equipment.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is scheduled for two crucial discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, disclosed this information, noting that Biden will be in France and Italy for commemorative events for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing, and Zelenskyy is also expected in France. Furthermore, the G7 summit will take place in Italy, where the two presidents will likely meet.
Vovchansk, a contentious city, has reportedly seen the establishment of "filtration camps" by Russian invaders. This information came from the Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, who spoke to state television and cited Kyiv Independent. These "filtration" camps are employed by Russia to document and identify Ukrainians living in the occupied territories. Throughout history, these camps have been associated with torturous conditions, sexual violence, and deportations. Vovchansk, currently under Russian control, is said to be sparsely populated, and its residents are used as human shields by the adversary.
The ex-head of Ukraine's arms procurement department is undergoing corruption charges in court. According to Kiev's Anti-Corruption Bureau, he is accused of signing a contract with a private company for inflated aircraft part prices. This case is not related to the ongoing conflict between the Ukrainian army and Russian aggression. The alleged agreement involved significant markups on aircraft parts, with the defendant's business partner already on trial, as reported by the bureau.
As a tribute to Late Russian dissident and opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, a memorial gathering was disrupted by police. During this event, people gathered at the venue to watch a live stream of a memorial concert in Berlin. Approximately 30 individuals, mostly supporters of Navalny, were briefly detained, searched, and interrogated. OVD-Info, a human rights advocacy group, reported on the incident, which took place on what would have been Navalny's 48th birthday.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, more than 600 children have reportedly been killed, and over 1,400 others have been injured, according to the United Nations' Denise Brown. These figures likely barely scratch the surface of the actual number of casualties. President Zelenska urged the international community, "to protect our children at any cost." Ukraine needs more support in the form of arms and resources. She forcefully stated that "the cost of air defense isn't more important than the lives of our children."
A striking image from a Ukrainian soldier, Roman Horilyk, has gained notoriety on social media. The soldier, a member of Ukraine's National Guard, was captured at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and held in Russia for more than two years. After his release, Horilyk's appearance reportedly resembled that of concentration camp prisoners, prompting many to speculate about the conditions in captivity and the necessity of eradicating such horrific practices.
Satellite images leaked from Radio Liberty provide insights into the highly publicized attack on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system that occurred on Russian territory. Although Moscow has yet to validate this attack, there is compelling proof of its occurrence. Radio Liberty shared photographs displaying damaged launch ramps and a destroyed command center of the S-300/400 system. The weapon perceived to have been used for the strike was a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher provided by the United States. This attack follows Washington's recent decision to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory to defend Kharkiv.
8:33 PM: "These upcoming weeks will shape the summer and the entire year"
In his evening address, Ukrainian President Zelensky states that Ukraine is currently going through a crucial phase. Though it's only June, he emphasizes that "the next few weeks will play a crucial role in shaping the summer and, in many aspects, the entire year," Zelensky says. He highlights several key areas of focus - the peace summit in Switzerland, global support for Ukraine, EU relations, frontline positions, and domestic production.
6:06 PM: Russian disinformation looms over European elections
Ahead of the European elections, there are fears of Russian disinformation spreading across Germany, France, and Poland, according to statements from Brussels. These three nations have been a consistent target of Russian disinformation, informs EU Vice-President Vera Jourova. In Germany, the primary topics for manipulation are immigration and security, she shares. Disinformation efforts from Russia often revolve around the war of aggression against Ukraine, according to an assessment by the European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO). Combined, Germany, France, and Poland have around 145 million eligible voters, equating to about 40% of the entire EU's electorate.
All prior events can be found here.
Read also:
- Following Russia's actions in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticizes China for boycotting the peace conference in Switzerland, stating that its decision is unfortunate and aligns with China's failure to rebuke Russia's violation of international law.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's commitment to strengthening Europe's defense industry includes the procurement of 20 additional Eurofighters, a move aimed at enhancing production capacity and countering potential cyberwar threats posed by Russia.
- As the Ukraine conflict continues, there are reports of "filtration camps" being set up by Russian invaders in Vovchansk, where Ukrainians living in occupied territories are being documented, identified, and potentially subjected to human rights abuses.
- In response to the attack on Ukraine, the US has instructed male US citizens with Ukrainian citizenship not to travel to the country, citing the high risk of their departure being denied even if they have a US passport, due to the ongoing conflict and Russia's invasion.
